This week, I had the distinct pleasure of immersing myself into the mind and life of Daniel O’Rourke–a man whose legend precedes him. But going into the patapātai without any preconceived ideas meant that I could be straight up and just chat major shit. Mission accomplished.
Jak: Tell me about your vibe bro, how do you explain yourself?
Daniel: Oh shit. I guess my vibe is kinda goofy. It’s sort of just what you see is what you get aye?
Jak: So then if I asked what your vibe is as an artist, would you say it’s the same? How’d you get into music?
Daniel: I like to think that my sound is more serious than I am, but it’s all me. I feel like I kinda stumbled up a series of staircases going up and down and up and down. I listen to a lot of Ben Howard and John Martyn–not that I derive my sound from there, but I fuck with their stuff. They tickle my music box.
It all sort of started in lockdown and has just gone from there. I wouldn’t say that I still draw inspiration from lockdown, or at least it doesn’t influence my work. It all sort of feels vague and shapeless.
Jak: What would you say are your goals and aspirations as an artist? Do you have an end goal here?
Daniel: I wish I could say that I did have a goal. Though I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t want to be self-funded and able to live solely on my work but that’s sort of unrealistic. In a way I think a lot of musicians’ backgrounds, when they get started, is fame and fortune right. Currently I’m working with a few locals on recording some stuff and just continuing my gigs.
Jak: Can’t help but mention the name, Rust Red Shed, is there something behind that?
Daniel: Well it’s honestly just an instagram handle. But I grew up on a farm and all the sheds were painted in the same colour, Rust Red. It’s just a nostalgia thing.
Jak: Standard question, if you had to have anyone open for you–who would you have?
Daniel: I wouldn’t really want to be the main act. I’d honestly love to open for Ben Howard. Oh shit, original woodstock. That would be so fucking amazing.
Jak: Explain to me your sound without using sound terms.
Daniel: Okay–Timber box made of dark wood. It’s been left in the sun so it’s opened up. With a cone piece.
Jak: Who are some locals that you’re vibing with that you think we should be too?
Daniel:
– Rat Cafe – Very sweet boys
– Love going to open mics
– Nadia Reed
– Albi and the Wolves
– Looking for Alaska
Jak: Finally, if you had to use a high school superlative to explain yourself, what would it be?
Daniel: Most likely to not shut the fuck up.
